A handball is hit toward a wall with a velocity of 15.0 m/s in a positive (forward) direction. It returns with a velocity of 10.0 m/s in a backward (negative) direction. If the time interval during which the ball is accelerated is 0.025 s, what is the handball's average acceleration?
To find the average acceleration of the handball, we can use the formula:
average acceleration = change in velocity / time interval
The change in velocity is the final velocity minus the initial velocity. In this case, the final velocity is -10.0 m/s (negative because it is in the opposite direction) and the initial velocity is 15.0 m/s. The time interval is given as 0.025 s.
So, the average acceleration is:
average acceleration = (-10.0 m/s - 15.0 m/s) / 0.025 s.
Now we can calculate the average acceleration:
average acceleration = (-25.0 m/s) / 0.025 s
average acceleration = -1000 m/s²
Therefore, the handball's average acceleration is -1000 m/s².